Detoxing Your Liver

Maintaining a healthy liver is not only important to live an active, healthy lifestyle, but has long-term benefits as well. Think of your liver as an air filter. All the toxins we eat, drink and breathe in get clogged up in this hard-working organ. Even though our body has its own natural detoxification system, there is a lot we can do to give it a helping hand, largely by eating the right kinds of foods.

The main component of liver cleansing foods is a special protein called glutathione. Glutathione handcuffs toxins and drags them out of our body quite effectively.

Here’s the catch: this handcuffing process works best when foods are eaten raw. In fact, all of the foods listed here go from being a great source of glutathione to not containing any at all when they’re cooked. Something to consider when choosing whether to cook the food or not.

Here are 6 foods that will detox your body and cleanse your liver:

Brussels Sprouts

If your body needs to get out the bad stuff, add Brussels sprouts to your diet today. Brussels sprouts are high in sulfur, which helps to remove toxins from the blood. Eating a serving or two of Brussels sprouts daily will help sponge out toxins, whether they’re environmental or dietary. These little sprouts also boost glucosinolate, an antioxidant that forces the liver to release enzymes that block damage.

Garlic

A fresh bulb of garlic. Don’t have any in your kitchen right now? You should. Here’s why…garlic is loaded with sulfur, a mineral that helps rid the body of toxins. Garlic has been used in the treatment of high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, and bacteria-related illnesses. Keep in mind, heating destroys many of the beneficial properties of garlic. If you can’t stomach raw garlic, you can find it in capsule form in most grocery or health food stores.

Carrots

In addition to the detox properties of carrots, they contain good amounts of vitamin C, B6 and potassium. They also loaded with vitamin A and K as well. It’s best to eat these raw. Try with a side of guacamole, hummus or even mustard!

Tomatoes

Raw tomatoes do a great job detoxifying the liver, containing a whopping 169 milligrams of glutathione per serving! Tomatoes are famous for their lycopene content, which has been shown to protect against breast, skin and lung cancer. Eat tomatoes when they’re fresh. Try with a little balsamic vinegar and sea salt.

Grapefruit

Grapefruit contains just over 70 milligrams of liver cleansing glutathione. This tasty fruit also contain a special kind of pectin that has been shown to lower cholesterol like no other pectin-containing food. One whole grapefruit is about 80 calories, so enjoy with a cup of cottage cheese or plain yogurt sprinkled with cinnamon and you’ve got a solid breakfast.

Spinach

Popeye’s favorite vegetable, spinach, contains a whopping 166 milligrams of glutathione per serving when eaten raw. Cook it, and it all goes away. Spinach also contains twice as much energy-boosting iron as other leafy greens. Try a spinach salad today with a little olive oil and sea salt drizzled on top.

Walnuts

Walnuts detox the liver and feed the brain! A good source of glutathione and a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, a little bit of walnuts goes a long way. Why not sprinkle a few on your next spinach salad?

Take these foods in consideration, even add a few raw veggies into your everyday diet! You will feel refreshed, and your liver will reap plenty of benefits!

Rachelle

Hi I'm Rachelle, or "Elle" for short. I am a busy body, but always been a plus sized kinda girl. I've learned that my curves are sexy, and I can feel good about how I look without looking like a stick! I'm a work-a-holic and stay as active as I can with lots of projects, so I have to prioritize my health choices. Working for Creative Bioscience has opened my eyes to what you can do to supplement your diet, and manage things in a natural way. The advances that are being made in the health arena are so exciting, and we are on the front lines bringing the best of the best. Rachelle's favorite product is hCG 1234